'Magnussen in the picture at Haas as Mazepin's replacement'

Magnussen a serious option

Magnussen left Formula 1 at the end of 2020. The Dane was pushed aside by Haas which opted for young talents with a pocket full of money. Magnussen was only informed of this choice late in the season and saw no chance of a place in F1. He therefore made the move to America, where he is active in the IMSA Sportscar Championship for Chip Ganassi Racing.

Since his departure, Magnussen has made no secret of the fact that he is happy to be out of the sport. In America he can compete for wins again, where that was never possible for him in F1. A possible return to Haas would be at odds with his earlier statements.

Haas has a preference

The Danish Ekstra Bladet now knows, however, that Magnussen is a good candidate to replace Nikita Mazepin at Haas. The Russian and his sponsor were sidelined by the war in Ukraine and the American team is looking for a replacement. Pietro Fittipaldi is the replacement during the test days in Bahrain, but not for the rest of the season.

Team owner Gene Haas already announced that the team is looking for some more experience. It was therefore quickly rumored that Antonio Giovinazzi would make the switch. The Italian was sidelined by Alfa Romeo at the end of 2021 and has a contract in Formula E in 2022, but he has the necessary F1 experience.

Hulkenberg is also looking at his options

However, according to the Danish medium, Haas prefers Magnussen. The Dane knows the team well and is known to be a good driver. However, Magnussen still has a contract running with Chip Ganassi Racing, two of which races are on the same weekend as Formula 1. Magnussen also has a three-year deal with Peugeot in the WEC.

Nico Hulkenberg is also said to be in the process of gathering sponsors to make his return to F1, but Ekstra Bladet sees that as a less realistic option. Reportedly, Giovinazzi would have a more realistic chance than Hulkenberg, but at Haas they hope to bring back the lost Danish son.